Share

Uruguay transportation is all about the four-wheeled way of getting around. In terms of land mass, this is a tiny place—among the other South American countries, only Suriname is smaller. As a result, Uruguay's various destinations, whether they are cities, ports, beaches, or inland towns, are all fairly close together. And the roads that connect them are extremely good: Uruguay is a prosperous place (historically it is one of South America’s most economically and socially stable countries), so infrastructure such as highways is of an extremely good standard. Getting from one place to another in Uruguay, whether by car or bus, is no problem at all.

Choosing which form of Uruguay transportation you wish to use while in the country is probably something you should do before leaving for your vacation. Taking the bus in Uruguay is an ever-present option, as all of the country’s major destinations (and many of its minor ones) are connected by the bus network. It’s an easy and cheap way to travel, though it’s not always the quickest or most comfortable. Securing a Uruguay car rental is probably the route to go, if you're focused on traveling with the most comfort, though make sure you know how to read a map before launching off into the less populated areas.

Should you decide against the bus in Uruguay, car rental is easily arranged. It can be sorted out before you even step in the country, with plenty of companies offering Uruguay car rental bookings either online or over the phone. Alternatively, your rental car can be arranged from the luxury of your Montevideo hotel. As ever with these things, make sure to read the fine print and ask the Uruguay car rental company you're using about anything you don't understand before actually booking the service.

If your trip takes you only to a city (most likely Montevideo), car rental probably isn’t necessary. There are plenty of taxis that ply the streets of the cities, offering a reasonably priced way of getting around. Unlike other cities in South America, taxis in Uruguay aren’t particularly dangerous. All taxis here operate off fixed price meters.

If there’s no available taxi or bus in Uruguay and you don’t have a rental car, hitchhiking is deemed a pretty safe way of getting around. It’s certainly common in rural areas, where passing cars frequently pick up people from the side of the road. Females are normally encouraged not to hitchhike alone, but this is mainly a safety-first precaution—in general, it’s worth remembering that Uruguay has the lowest level of violent crime out of all the countries in mainland South America and a very welcoming population.

There are two provisos to the statement that Uruguay transportation is all about cars and buses. First, you’ll probably take a flight to arrive in the country. Uruguay is connected internationally, with airlines flying from Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and Europe, among other destinations. Second, as long as you stick to the coast, it’s possible to navigate the country by ferry. This system of Uruguay transportation includes a fairly extensive ferry network that stretches down the country’s eastern border with the sea, connecting places such as Montevideo, Punta del Este, Colonia, and even Buenos Aires. These ferries range from fast hydrofoils to slower, larger shipping boats, but whichever you take, they make a nice change from driving or taking the bus in Uruguay.